Supporting structure for transformer windings



D. H HARSE Feb. 22, 1955 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR TRANSFORMER WINDINGSFiled April 22, 1952 WH P mi s s w m D United States Patent SUPPORTINGSTRUCTURE FOR TRANSFORMER WINDINGS Douglas H. Harse, North Syracuse, N.Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New YorkApplication April 22, 1952, Serial No. 283,630

4 Claims. (Cl. 336198) My invention relates to a supporting structurefor transformer windings, and has particular utility as applied to astructure for supporting one or more turns of auxiliary windings on ahigh-voltage universal sweep transformer suitable for televisionscanning circuits and the like.

In television line-scanning circuits, it is common practice to employ auniversal sweep transformer of the core type which not only includes theusual windings for energizing deflection and acceleratnig elements ofthe picture tube, but also one or more auxiliary windings, usually ofone turn each, for energizing filament heating circuits and the like.

It has often been the practice, in transformer assemblies of this type,merely to loop these auxiliary trans former windings around one of thetransformer core members. Unless special supporting means are provided,this has the disadvantage that the auxiliary windings may move about orbe deformed under the infiuence of gravity or vibration. Consequently,these windings may come in close contact with either the transformercore or with other transformer windings, or both. Furthermore, sincetransformers of this type generally carry high voltages, the likelihoodof insulation breakdown between the auxiliary windings and the core, orbetween windings, is greatly increased by the likelihood of closephysical contact therewith.

It is desirable, therefore, to provide means for securely holding theauxiliary windings in such a position that they are properly spaced fromthe core and prevented from coming in contact with either thetransformer core or the other transformer windings.

Thus, one of the primary objects of my invention is to provide animproved supporting structure for retaining transformer windings indefinite spaced relation with respect to both the core and the otherwindings.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved transformerlead-supporting structure.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivetransformer lead-supporting structure that lends itself readily to massproduction manufacture.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of my invention, I providea lead-supporting structure formed of two interlocking members, at leastone of which is composed of an insulating sheet material and is arrangedto support the windings, and the other of which is arranged to surrounda leg of the transformer core. More specifically, I provide a generallyL-shaped lead-supporting member of an insulating material which is heldfirmly to the transformer core by means of a generally rectangularclamping ring member, preferably also of a similar insulating material.

My invention will be better understood from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will bepointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a transformer assembly containing mysupporting structure;

Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective view, partly in section, of part of theassembly shown in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the components of thesupporting structure of Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of an assembly similar to thatshown in Fig. 2, but having an alternate form of transformer core.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a transformer opposed relationso as to define assembly whose core legs comprise a pair of generallyU-shaped core members 10, 11 which are positioned in a generallyrectangular window 12 therebetween. The cores may be of ferrite orpowdered magnetic material and may have the usual principal windings 13,14 supported on their upper ends. The whole assembly is clamped betweeninsulating side panels 15 in any suitable manner (not shown in detail).This transformer core and winding assembly may, for example, begenerally similar to that shown and described in the copendingapplication of Charles E. Torsch, Serial No. 95,852, filed May 27, 1949,now Patent No. 2,639,319, and assigned to the same assignee as thepresent invention. Since the details of this construction, as thus fardescribed, form no part of the present invention, connecting leads andterminals for the principal windings have been omitted from Fig. 1 tosimplify the drawing.

In Fig. 1, three single-turn auxiliary windings 16 are shown forpurposes of illustration, surrounding the righthand core section 11. Inaccordance with my invention, the auxiliary turns 16 are held in placeby a lead-retaining member 17. Member 17 is a generally L-shaped memberof insulating material situated within the plane of window opening 12and having a first or horizontal leg disposed along the entire length ofthe base of opening 12 such that its ends abut against the verticalportion of the core members 10 and 11, thereby preventing any movementin the horizontal plane along the base.

Member 17 also has a vertically-extending portion containing a pluralityof vertically-spaced holes 18. As is best shown in the detailedperspective view of Fig. 2, these holes 18 are aligned in horizontalplanes with corresponding vertically-spaced holes 19 and 20 in the sidepanel 15. Each set of holes in a horizontal plane is arranged toaccommodate and hold one of the insulated conductors 16 in position.While the rows of holes are preferably aligned as shown, they may, ofcourse, be arranged in other configurations. In any event, they arearranged so as to position the transformer leads at a locattionproviding proper inductive coupling and permitting easy access to theconductors for connections to other circuits.

The lead-retaining member 17 is held against twisting or sidewisemovement by means of a generally rectangular, closed, clamping ringmember 21 which is interlocked with it and provided with a rectangularaperture. Member 21 fits closely about one end of core member 11 inassembled position and is restrained against transverse rocking movementon the core by virtue of the close fit between them.

As is best shown in Fig. 3, lead-supporting member 17 is provided with anotch 22 which, in its normal assembled relationship, cooperates with anotch 23 in clamping ring member 21. When the notches are engaged,members 17 and 21 are thereby rigidly inposition in mutually-transverseplanes.

As best seen in Fig. 1, member 21 is located at a point along thehorizontal portion of member 17 so that, when the structure isassembled, ring 21 surrounds one of the core members near its free endand just to one side of the air gap between the two core members Thewidths of the interlocking notches 22 and 23 will be determined by thethickness of the sheet material used. The depths of these notches mayvary but are preferably about one-half the depth of the material wherethe opposing portions of member 17 and ring 21 are of the same depth.

To assemble the lead-supporting assembly on the transformer core, member17 and clamping ring 23 are placed so that their respective notches 22and 23 interlock. One of the transformer core members 10, 11 is nextthreaded into the clamping ring 21, as shown in Fig. 2, therebypreventing the notched members 17 and 21 from separating. Finally, thesecond core member 10 is positioned in opposed relation to the firstcore member 11. As will be seen from Fig. 1, the lead retainer 17 willbe prevented thereby from sliding off the core member 11 because the endof member 17 abuts the inner surface of its vertical portion.

When the lead-retaining assembly 17, 21 is assembled in proper position,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the singleturn windings 16 are threaded intothe transformer assembly through the holes 19 or 29 in one side panel15, then through holes 18, and finally out through the other holes 20 or19 in the side wall 15.

This assembly provides an improved assembly particularly adapted forsupporting one or more turns of transformer windings in spaced relationabout one core leg of the transformer, so that air insulation isprovided between these windings, the transformer core members and othertransformer windings. This reduces the danger of insulation breakdowns,and makes it possible to cover the auxiliary windings with an insulatingmaterial of less critical breakdown properties than would otherwise berequired.

It will also be seen that I have provided a lead retaining assembly thatcan be readily assembled and disassembled and which can be readilyadapted for use with many types of transformers as well as with thespecific type of transformer shown with this preferred form of myinvention. Although my invention has been described in conjunction witha transformer having a core of rectangular cross section, for example,it may be used with cores having other cross-sectional configurations.By way of illustration, Fig. 4 shows an optional form of my invention,comprising retaining member 17 and clamping ring 21 having an octagonalwindow therein to receive a transformer core member 11' having anoctagonal cross section. The portions of Fig. 4 bearing the numeralsdesignated prime correspond to the portions of Fig. 2 having similarnumerals.

While the present invention has been described by reference toparticular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerousmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actuallydeparting from the invention. I, therefore, aim in the appended claimsto cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spiritand scope of the foregoing disclosure.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A transformer having a closed core whose legs define a generallyrectangular window and a supporting structure for windings of thetransformer comprising a generally L-shaped lead-supporting member ofinsulating material having a first leg fitted closely against one leg ofthe core within said window and abutting against a portion of said corewhereby it is restrained against axial movement relative to said coreand a second leg extending in a generally transverse direction withinsaid window, said second leg having one or more conductorsupportingapertures formed therein, and interlocking means for retaining saidlead-supporting member in position against said one leg in said window,said interlocking means comprising a closed clamping-ring member ofinsulating material closely surrounding a leg of said core, said twomembers having closely interfitting interlocking notches in adjacentedges thereof to hold them rigidly in mutually-transverse planes on saidcore.

2. The combination of a transformer having a closed core whose legsdefine a rectangular window opening and a structure for supportingauxiliary windings, said structure comprising a generally L-shaped,flat, leadretaining member of insulating material situated within theplane of the transformer window opening, said retaining member having afirst leg disposed along one side of the transformer window opening andabutting against the perpendicular sides of said core at both ends, saidfirst leg having a notch in its top portion and a raised portion at oneend constituting a second leg lying alongside of one of saidperpendicular sides, said second leg containing therein one or morespaced lead-retaining holes, and a closed, clamping-ring member ofinsulating material closely surrounding a leg of said core and saidlead-retaining member, said ring member having a notch in its innersurface constructed and arranged to interlock with the notch in thelead-retaining member thereby securing it to said core.

3. In a high-voltage television sweep transformer of the type having oneor more auxiliary windings and a pair of opposing U-shaped core membersof polygonal cross section defining a generally rectangular windowopening, the improvement comprising a generally L- shaped,conductor-supporting member composed of insulating sheet materialsituated within the plane of said transformer window opening, saidsupporting member having a horizontal first leg disposed along theentire base of said transformer window opening and abutting against thevertical core portion at either end, said first leg having a notched topportion near its center, said supporting member having a vertical secondleg at one end extending alongside one of the vertical core portions,said vertical leg having one or more spaced leadreceiving holestherethrough, and a closed, clamping-ring member of insulating materialhaving a window opening shaped closely to surround a leg of one of saidcore members, said clamping-ring member having a notched inside topportion constructed and arranged to interlock with said first notchportion in the top of said conductor supporting member.

4. In a transformer of the type having a closed core whose legs define awindow opening, the improvement comprising a structure for supportingauxiliary windings relative to said transformer, said structurecomprising a generally L-shaped lead-supporting member of insulatingmaterial having a first leg and a raised portion constituting a secondleg, said first leg having a notched top portion, said second leg havingone or more conductor-supporting apertures formed therein, andinterlocking means for retaining said lead supporting member in apredetermined position in a transformer window, said interlocking meanscomprising a closed clamping ring member of insulating material adaptedand arranged closely to surround said first leg of said lead supportingmember and the leg of a transformer core, said clamping-ring memberhaving a notched inner surface constructed and arranged to interlockwith the notch in the top of said lead-retaining member, whereby saidlead supporting member may be secured to the leg of the transformercore.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,500,766 Obert et a1. Mar. 14, 1950 2,612,545 Gray Sept. 30, 19522,639,319 Torsch May 19, 1953

